Abdul Abdulmalik sets record with £1.5m move from England's fifth tier

English striker Abdul Abdulmalik has made history in English football transfers, becoming the most expensive player to leave the National League after moving from Boreham Wood to Swedish club Djurgården for £1.5 million. The deal could rise further with add-ons.

The transfer followed lengthy negotiations between the clubs. Boreham Wood had previously rejected two offers of £1 million and £1.5 million earlier in the summer before reaching a final agreement. The English club has also secured a percentage of any future sale of the player.

Record-breaking deal surpasses Jamie Vardy

Abdulmalik has surpassed the previous record for the highest transfer fee from England's fifth tier, set in 2012 when Leicester City paid £1 million to sign Jamie Vardy from Fleetwood Town. Abdulmalik's move marks a significant milestone, eclipsing the achievement of the former Leicester star, who went on to win the Premier League and captain the England national team.

Outstanding season with Boreham Wood

Last season, Abdulmalik shone for Boreham Wood, scoring 17 goals and providing 10 assists, helping his team reach the promotion playoff final. At Wembley, he continued his impressive form with a goal and an assist, despite the team missing out on promotion. He also played a key role in Boreham Wood's National League Cup triumph, underlining his standout campaign.

From Millwall to Sweden

Abdulmalik progressed through Millwall's academy before leaving in 2024 and had a trial with Portsmouth that did not result in a contract. He previously represented England at under-17 level before opting for a new challenge with Djurgården, currently sixth in the Swedish top flight.

After completing the transfer, Abdulmalik said: "I'm ready for the next challenge and to prove I can reach the top."

Swedish faith in English talent

Djurgården sporting director Maximilian Hahn praised Abdulmalik's attacking qualities and positive character. The Swedish club hopes the forward will boost their push for European qualification.

With this record-breaking deal, Abdulmalik begins a new chapter in his career, taking a record that had belonged to Jamie Vardy for more than a decade.